Abstract : The response of advanced composite laminated plates under projectile impact has been studied extensively in recent years, but because of the presence of a large number of fracture modes and of the complex response of the constituent materials to the extremely high strain rate, the process has not been completely understood. Although the penetration event occurs in a matter of only several microseconds, the constitutive properties of the constituent materials of the composite under such high strain rates change drastically. The general objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the influence of the laminate characteristics and the impact velocities on the penetration response of these composites. More specific objectives include development of a methodology to characterize and analyze post-penetration fracture surfaces both in macro- and in micro-scale. Earlier work conducted by Altamirano (1991) and Mayer (Fig. 1) demonstrates an empirical relationship between the energy absorption function E and the impact velocity V as: E = CVn (1) where C is a constant depending on the laminate and projectile geometry.